Sheet-delivery mechanism for printing-presses and other machines.



R. MIEHLE.

SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHER MACHINES.APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1918.

1,292,001 Patented Jan. 21,1919.

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R. MIEHLE. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHERMACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

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R. MIEHLE. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES AND OTHERMACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

'Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

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STARS P T FTCE.

ROBERT MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

.Application fiIed;Febrna1'y 23, 1918. Serial No. 218,731.

To all whom itmag concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT Mini-Inn, a citizen of the United 1 States,residing at Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new 'and useful Improvement in Sheet ,-.DeliveryMechanism for Printing-Presses and other Machines, of which thefollowingis a full, clear, concise, and. exact description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this, specification.

My invention. relates to sheet delivery mechanism for printing. pressesand 7 other machines, and hasparticular relation to a printed side downor turn over. delivery which takes the sheet and inverts it beforedelivering the same upon the piling table; and the invention has for itsmain object to provide an improved and compact form of deliverymechanism of the described character, which may be operated at a veryhigh rate of speed.

Further objects of the invention reside in providing various novelmechanisms which promote the facilitywith which sheets may be deliveredand whose uses, however, are not restricted to the above described turnover delivery. alone.

l/Vith these and other objects in view which will be hereinafterdescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims, the inventionresides in the mechanism illustrated in. the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification and disclosing the preferredembodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a sheet delivery mechanismembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a portion of the mechanism showing the partsin a difi'erent position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of the parts showing the same in astill difierent position.

Fig. 1 is a similar view of-a portion of the parts showing the same in astill different position as will be hereinafter described.

-Fig. 5 is a topplan' view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

.Fig.,6 is a top plan sectional view of a portion oft-he drivingmechanism.

. Figs. 7 'andi8 are enlarged sectional elevations of the grippermechanism, Fig. 8 ,being taken from the side opposite that from whichFig. 7 is taken.

Fig. 9 is a sectional end elevation taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of a portion of themechanism as will be hereinafter fully described.

Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation of another portion of themechanism as will be hereinafter fully described.

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged sectional elevations of the mechanismtakenat right angles to each other.

Like characters of'reference indicate like parts in the various views.

The sheets are initially carried from the press upon the carrying tapes1.

The outer end of said tapes 1 are supported upon pulleys 2 which aresecured upon a shaft 3, which shaft is journaled in frames 4 disposedone on either side of the mechanism.

The main frames 5 are disposed one upon either side of the machineandstuds 6 are mounted therein which support the. outer ends of the frames4:.

The inner ends of the frames are sup ported in the usual manner, andinasmuch as the invention does not relate to the carrying tapes 1 or themechanism for driving or supporting the same, it is unnecessary todescribe the same in detail. Sheet guides 7 are su ported upon theframes 4 through means iereinafter to be more fully described and aredisposed at intervals between the tapes 1 and extend outwardly of thepulleys 2 to guide the sheets into the delivery mechanism proper.

A stud shaft 8, formed with a flange 8 at its outer end, is mounted forrotation in an adjustable bracket 9, which is secured upon the righthand frame 5 by means of headed screws 10, screw threaded into saidbracket, and engaging with said screw holes in frame 5 and clamping saidframe 5 between their heads and the bracket 9. A sprocket 11 is fixedlymounted upon the flange 8, and in conjunction with a chain 12, which isin driven connection with the press mechanism, serves to drive saidshaft in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated. by the arrow inFig. 1. A shaft 13 ismounted for rotation in the frame 5 and extendsacross the space between the same and the ends thereof projectbeyond-their respective frames 5. A sprocket 14 is fixedly mounted uponthe righthand end of the shaft 13, and a corresponding sprocket 15 isfixedly mounted upon the flange 8, and a chain 16 is trained over saidsprockets 14: and 15 to provide a driving connection therebetween. Bymeans of this driving connection between the shafts 8 and 13, said shaft13 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when said shaft 8 is rotatedin a counter-clockwise direction as before described. The spur gear 17is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 13 exteriorly of the right hand frame5, and a gear similar to gear 17 is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 13 onthe outside of the other frame 5. The driving mechanism for the sheetdelivery mechanism proper of my invention is driven from the gear 17 andits corresponding gear upon the opposite side of the machine. Thisdriving mechanism is exactly the same upon either side of the machine,and for that reason only one mechanism has been shown, as anillustration and description of the other side of the machine wouldbring out no new features or render the exposition of the same moreclear. Mounted for rotation in the frame 5 is the stud. shaft 18 whichhas a spur gear 19 fixedly mounted thereon exteriorly of the frame 5 andmeshing with the gear 17. The stud shaft 18 extends through the frame 5and has a sprocket 20 fixedly thereon on the inside of said frame 5 andclosely adjacent thereto. The frame 5 has an extension 21 projectingoutwardly therefrom, and a sprocket or wheel 22 is mounted for rotationupon a stud 23 d1s posed outwardly of said sprocket 20 at a point aboutmidway between the ends of the extension 21, said sprocket 22 being inline with the sprocket 20 and having its axis parallel to that of saidsprocket. An endless driving chain 2 1 is trained over the sprockets 20and 22, the same defining the orbit of said chain. As above noted thegear 17 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and drives the sprocket20 through the gear 19 in a clockwise direction, as indicated by thearrow in Fig. 1, whereby the upper stretch of the chain 24 movesoutwardly and the lower stretch thereof moves inwardly.

The other frame 5 has anextensionsimilar to extension 21 and disposed inparallelism therewith, and the driving mecha nism upon the opposite sideof the machine is similar to that just described and embraces a chainsimilar to driving chain 24 and hav-- ing the same orbit of travel anddisposed in a plane parallel thereto. Extending across the space betweenthe driving chains and having its respective ends carried by said chainsat corresponding points is a upporting structure 25. This supportingstructure is disposed transversely of the line of movement and carries anumber of gripper mechanisms 26, hereinafter to be fully described,which are disposed at intervals along said supporting structure and areadapted to engage the leading or advancing edge of a sheet 27, see Fig.1, as it advances from the printing press or other machine over thesheet guides 7.

Extending across the space between the driving chains 24 and having itsrespective ends carried by said chains at corresponding points is atransverse rod structure 28. The supporting structure 25 and thetransverse rod structure 28 preferably divide the driving chains intotwo equal parts, and, as a consequence, move in opposite directionsalong their similar closed paths as said chains" are driven ashereinbefore described.

Formed on the extensions 21 and disposed on the inside of the plane ofthe respective chains 24: are slides 29. Each slide embraces two parts,one lying within the closure of the path of the supporting structure 25and the transverse rod structure 28, the other disposed without saidinclosure, the adjacent ends of the respective members of each slidebeing spaced apart at the point where the path of said supportingstructure 25 and transverse rod structure 28 cross the plane of the sameto allow for the movement of said supporting structure 25 and rodstructure 28 along their closed path. A slide block 30 is mounted formovement in each slide 29 and is of suificient length to bridge thespace between the members of the respective slides so that the same maybe supported in all positions in said slides. Disposed across the spacebetween the slide blocks 30, and having the ends thereof mounted forpivotal movement in the respective slide blocks, is a second transverserod structure 31, which is shouldered, as designated at 32 in Fig. 5, toprevent movement of said slide blocks 30 toward each other. Each slideblock 30 has a downwardly extending lip 33 formed thereon which isadapted to engage an inwardly facing surface 3 1, formed on thestructure of the respective slide to prevent movement of said slideblocks away from each other. A pair of connecting rods 35 have one endfixedly mounted upon the rod structure 31, each of said connecting rodsbeing disposed adjacent but spaced from a respective slide block 30..The other ends of said rods are pivotally mounted upon the transverserod structure 28, thus forming a driving connection between the slideblock 30 and the chain 2 1. The roller 36 is disposed outwardly of thetransverse rod structure 31 and extends across the space between theslide blocks 30 and is provided with reduced ends which are mounted forrotation in respective slide blocks 30, whereby the same is earned byand mounted for rotation in said slide blocks. The construction andproportion of the above described mechanism is such that, as the chains24 are driven 36, are disposed within the inclosure of the path of thesupporting structure 25 and the -gripper mechanisms 26 carried thereby.whereby said supporting structures 25 and the gripper mechanisms 26 maypass the intersecting points of the path of said slide block 30 androller 36 to cause a turnabout relation to take place.

A pair of brackets 37 are mounted upon the supporting structure 25, oneadjacent each end thereof. A rock shaft 38 extends between said bracketsand has the ends thereof pivotally mounted in respective of saidbrackets, and is disposed in spaced relation and parallel to saidsupporting structure 25 and in front of the same relatively tothe-movement thereof. The supporting structure 25 is of regular crosssection, preferably round, and each gripper mechanism embraces a gripperstructure 39 mounted thereon and slidable along the same. These gripperstructures may be secured in various positions along said supportingstructure 25 by means of set screws 40, screws threaded vinto respectivegripper structures and engageable with the supporting structure to clampthe gripper structures thereon. The

rock shaft 38 is journaled in extensions of the gripperstructure 39 toprevent the gripper structure from. rotating upon the sup- 35 portingstructure 25, while the set screws 40 are loosed, and to afford asupport for said rock shaft between the brackets 37 when the set screws40 are tightened upon the supporting structure 25. Inasmuch as the rockshaft 38 is disposed in parallelism with the supporting structure 25said gripper structures 39 may be moved along said supporting structurewithout interference. Each gripper structure is formed with a grippingsurface or stationary jaw 41 and has an extension 42 projecting upwardlytherefrom and disposed at one side thereof. A movable gripper element orjaw 43 is pivotally mounted at the upperiend of the extension 42 and isdisposed in line with the respective gripper surface of jaw 41, and isadapted to be actuated to clamp a sheet upon said gripper surface 41.The extension 42 is disposed just in front of the gripping surfaces ofthe jaws relatively to the move ment of the supporting structure 25 andserves as a sheet stop to position the sheet as it is'received withinsaid jaws. An arm 44 is formed upon each movable gripper element 43 andextends downwardly therefrom in front of the respective gripperstructure 39, and acompression spring 45 has its one end disposed withina recess formed incach gripper structure 39 and engages the respectivearm 44 with its other endto actuate automatically and withoutnecessitating any fine adjustment or attention on the part of theoperator. The portions of the gripper structure 39 in which the rockshaft 38 is journaled are disposed to oneside of, preferably the sideupon which the extensions 42 are disposed, the gripping surfaces 41. Anarm 46 is provided for each gripper mechanism and is mounted upon therock shaft 38 to slide along the same. A set screw 47 is screw threadedinto each arm 46 and is engageable with the rock shaft 38 whereby saidarm may be clamped upon said rock shaft against rotarial movementthereon. Said arms 46 are formed to be disposed in line with respectivemovable gripper elements 43 and are adapted to engage the side ofrespective arms 44 opposite that which the springs 45 engage. Thus asthe rock shaft 38 is rotated in one direction, counter-clockwise in Fig.7, the arms 46 are moved to engage and move thegripper ele ments 43 toopen position, as the rock shaft is rotated in the opposite directionthe arms 46 are moved into disengaged relation with the arms 44 to alloweach spring 45 to move its respective gripper element 43 into closedposition independently of the other gripper element 43. By reason of thefact that individual means are provided for actuating each movablegripper element to move the same into closed position and the fact thatthe unitary means, which control said movable gripper element, and whichis actuated to move said gripper element into open position, has noeffect upon the closing of said gripper .element, other than that oftiming the closing thereof, each gripper element grips the sheet withuniformity and irrespective of all of the other elements automaticallyand without necessitating fine adjustment, it being necessary only toadjust the arm 46 upon the rock shaft 38 so that they engage theirrespective gripper elements to -move the same in synchronism. Fixedlymounted upon the end of the rock shaft 38 lying adjacent the right handframe 5 is an actuating arm 48 which extends rearwardly from the rockshaft 38 relatively to the movement thereof over the supporting:

, structure 35, and a friction roller 49 is rotacured upon the inner endof the right hand &

extension frame 21 and is disposed to engage said roller 49 to rotatethe rock shaft 38 to actuate said gripper element 43 to open the sameupon the initial outward movement of said gripper mechanisms and toallow the same to close as said gripper mechanisms advance farther alongtheir path. The cam 51 is disposed to engage the roller 49 to open thegripper mechanisms as they move inwardly upon their path, this cam beingadjustable along the path of said gripper mechanisms by means and forpurposes hereinafter to be set forth. The mechanism is so timed that thecam 50 opens the-.gri per mechanisms prior to the time when the s eet27, see Fig. 1, engages the extension 42 with its leading edge andallows the same to close after the sheet has engaged said extension withits leading edge.

After the gripper mechanisms 26 have gripped the sheets as justdescribed they move outwardly along the upper stretch of their path, asdefined by the chains 24, until the said gripper mechanisms are about toturn about the sprockets 22. During this movement of the grippermechanisms 26 the roller 36 and the slide blocks 30 have been movinginwardly due to the fact that the transverse rod structure 28 has duringthis period, been moving inwardly along the lower inwardly movingstretch of said chains 24. The roller 36 and the slide blocks 30continue their inward movement as the supporting structure 25 andgripper mechanisms 26 move about said sprocket 22 toward the point ofintersection of their paths and that of the roller 36, and when saidgripper mechanisms reach said point of intersection said roller 36 andthe slide blocks 30 lie within the inclosure of the path of said grippermechanisms a sufficient distance to allow said gripper mechanismsto-pass their point of intersection outwardly of said roller 36 andslide blocks 30 without interference to cause a turn-about relationtherebetween. See Fig. 2. During the above described movement of themechanism the gripper mechanisms 26, which engage the leading edge ofthe sheet in the initial outward movement thereof, have carried thesheet outwardly. As the gripper mechanisms 26 continue to turn about thesprockets 22 and after they have passed the point of intersection ofsaid paths, they begin their inward movement along the lower stretch ofthe chains 24, and continue to carry the leading edge of the sheet.During this movement the transverse rod structure 28 completes its turnabout the sprockets 20 and begins its initial outward movement, and as aresult the roller 36 begins to move outwardly to engage the under sideof the sheet inwardly of said gripper mechanism. As the mechanismprogresses from this point the gripper mechanisms 26 move inwardly upontheir path and carry the forward end of the sheet inwardly, while theroller 36 moves outwardly and against the under surface of the sheet anddeflects it over the gripper mechanisms 26 and outwardly of the same tocause the inversion of the sheet. As the gripper mechanisms 26 moveinwardly along their path, and the roller 36 moves outwardly along itspath the relatively opposite movement of the gripper mechanisms 26 andthe roller 36 cause the inversion of the sheet, until the grippermechanisms 26 near the sprockets 20 as indicated in Fig. 3. The cam 51is positioned so that the roller 49 engages the same at about the timewhen the roller 36 nears the tail end of the sheet, or when the sheet isalmost completely inverted. At about this point the cam 51 engages theroller 49 to actuate the arm 48 to open the gripper mechanisms andrelease the sheet, which, being released, drops upon the piling table 52disposed below the delivery mechanism and supported by downwardlyextending formations of the extension frame 21. Fig. 4 shows the grippermechanisms 26 just after the cam 51 has actuated the same to release thesheet.

In order that the sheet may be controlled as they drop upon the pilingtable, I have provided a novel sheet stop which is engageable with theleading edge of the sheet as it is released from the gripping mechanisms26 and which guides the sheet as it drops upon said piling table. Thissheet stop, in its preferred embodiment, embraces two elements, astationary guide element 53 and a sheet stop 54 which is movable in theline of travel of the sheet and is initially engaged thereby as thesheet is released from the gripper mechanisms 26. A number of thesesheet stops are employed and are disposed in a line extendingtransversely of the travel of the sheet, and are supported by atransverse rod 55, which is adjustable along the line of travel of thesheet by a mechanism now to be described. A rack bar 56, disposed belowthe lower stretch of the respective chains 24 and extending inparallelism therewith is secured upon the piling table supportingformation of each extension frame 21. These racks are provided withdownwardly facing teeth, and a bracket 57 is mounted on each rack forsliding movement. The ends of the, transverse rod 55 are secured torespective brackets 57, whereby said rod 55 is supported, and thebrackets 57 are maintained in spaced relation with each other. The sheetengaging portions of the guide elements 53 are disposed in front of therod 55, and extend upwardly from the piling table 52, and are providedwith a' rearwardly extending formation which embraces the rod 55 toallow the same to be moved longitudinally of said rod. A set screw 58 isscrew threaded into the 'rearwardly extending formation-of each guideelement '53 and-is adapted to engage said rod to secure said guideelements in any adjustment thereon. A shaft 59 is journaled in thebracket 57 and extends across the space between the same in parallelismwith the rod 55. A gear 60 is fixedly mounted uponeach'end'of theshaft59 exteriorly of the respectivebrackets57, and meshes with thedownwardly facing teeth ot the respective rack 56. A crank handle 61 isfixedly mounted upon the right hand end of the shaft 59 exteriorly ofthe adjacent gear 60 to facilitate manual rotation of the shaft 59 andthe gears 60. A set screw-62 is screw threaded into the right handbracket 57 and is adapted to engage the shaft 59 to secure the sameagainst rotation.

The stationary guide elements 53 are provided with rearwardly projectingextensions 63 disposed below the shaft 59. Each movable sheet stop 54 isformed with a vertical sheet engaging'portion and a horizontalrearwardly extending portion projecting from the lower end'of thevertical or sheet engag ing portion thereof. The rearward end of eachhorizontally extending portion of said sheet stop 54 is pivotally'mounted a respective extension 63-by means of a stud 64 mounted thereonand extending laterally therefrom. A projection 65 is formedupon eachextension 6.3 in front of the respective stud 64 and-is disposed toengage the under surface of the rearwardly extending portion of therespective sheet stop 54 to limit the downward movement thereof. It willbe noted that the shaft 59 is disposed above the rearwardly extendingportion of the sheet stop 54 and constitutes a stop to limit the upwardmovement thereof. By reason of the fact that the weight of the sheetstop 54 Y is disposed-forwardly of the pivotal point properly positionedto be engaged by the thereof, the gravital tendency of the same is tomove the same against the projection 65, the vertical or sheet engagingportion thereof being disposed to assume a vertical position in linewith the sheet engaging surfaces of the stationary guide element whensaid projection 65 is engaged as just described. As the sheet movesagainst the sheet stops 54, the momentum of the same pushes the sheetstops 54 rearwardly in the direction of the travel of the sheet, seeFig. 4, until said momentum is spent. After the momentum of the sheet isspent, the gravital tendency of the sheet stop 54 moves said sheetstopsand the engaged sheet forwardly until said sheet stops assume theirnormal vertical position. at which point the sheet is stationary guideelements 53 to properly guide the same as it drops upon the pihng table.

e -What the $1 99? sto ud-the 'releasing'cam 51 may be adjusted inproper relation with each other, the cam 51 is formed integrally. withthe right hand bracket 57, so that as the sheet stops are adjusted toproperly position the sheet upon the piling table 52, thecam 51 is alsoadjusted to cause the release of the sheet at the proper time relativelyto the sheet stops.

It will also be noted at this point that by reason of the fact that thecam 51 is made adjustable tofrelease the sheet at different points, thesheet may be delivered on the-desired portionvof the pilingtable, forconvenient access thereto, regardless of the size thereof.

It will be noted that by the herein described construction of thegripper mechanisms and their controlling means, an open space isprovided a between the adjacent gripper mechanisms, whichspace extendsat the gripping point of said gripper elements toward the supportingstructure 25 thereof and the controlling.mechanism of the same. Thesheet'stops 54, as above described, are disposed in line with the spacesbetween the gripper mechanisms and project across the path of the sheetand the gripping point of the gripper mechanisms 26, the upper end ofsaid sheet stops being disposed to clear the supporting structure 25 andthe rock shaft 38.

The sheet guides 7 are also disposed in line withsaid above mentionedspaces between the gripping mechanisms and'extend forwardly in.parallelism with the outgoing portion of the path of said grippermechauisn'is and are disposed below the gripping points thereof andabove the supporting structure and the rock shaft 38 to support therearward portion 1 of the sheet as said gripper mechanisms carry thesheet outwardly, see Fig. 2.

The sheet guides are supported at their rearward 0nd in the followingmanner. A rod 66 extends across the space between the frames4,rearwardly of the shaft 3, and has its ends supported in respective ofsaid. frames and held against rotation thereby. This rod 66 extendsbetween the upper and lower stretches of the carrying tapes 1, and has anumber of arms 67 mounted thereon,

- and disposed in the spaces between adjacent.

tapes 1, and secured against rotation relatlvoly thereto by means of setscrews 68 screw threaded into said arms and engag-' ing said rod. Therearward end of the sheet guides 7 are pivotally mounted at the free endof-respective of said arms 67 by means of studs 69 whose'axes lieparallel to said rod 66. Another rod 70 extends across the space betweenthe frame-4 between the rod 66 and the shaft 3 and is secured thereinagainst rotation. A number of cam arms 71 are mounted upon said rod 70and are secured against rotation relatively thereto by means set screws'(g screw threaded into said cam arm and engaging said rod. Each .camarm 71 engages the under side of a respective sheet guide 7 with its camportion to cooperate with the respective arm 67 to support said sheetguide. By means of this supporting mechanism the sheet guides 7 may beadjusted at various levels relatively to the line of travel of thesheet, it being pos sible to position said sheet guides in parallelismwith said line of travel in any adjustment of said sheet guides. Thisadjustment is accomplished by moving the arms 67 and the cam arms 71about their respective shafts until the sheet guides assume the properposition and then securing said arms in that position by means of theirrespective set screws. Figs. 9 and 11 show the sheet guides 7 positionedin diiferent evels relatively to line of travel of the sheet whereby thesheet is corrugated longitudinally of the travel thereof and the leadingedge of the sheet is moved against the extension 42 of the gripperstructure in an undulated form whereby the sheet is stifi'ened and isenabled to move against said extension 42 without curling or buckling.See Fig. 9. The sheet is engaged by the gripper mechanisms in thisundulated form and the sheet is maintained in this form until the cam 51actuates said gripper mechanism to release the sheet, just prior to thetime when the leading edge of the sheet engages the sheet stops 54:. Asa result the sheet engages said sheet stops in said undulated form andretains the added stiifness above referred to to prevent curling orbuckling against said sheet stops. As the sheet drops upon the pilingtable 52 the undulations disappear and the sheet settles upon the pilingtable in flat form.

In order that the sheet may be given addi tional undulations orcorrugations extending longitudinally of the travel of the sheet I havedisposed the gripper mechanisms 26 in different levels relatively to theline of travel of the sheet as shown in Figs. 8 and'9. It will be notedat this point that the stationary gripper surface or jaw 41 is extendedin a direction away from the extension 42- and rearwardly relatively tothe direction of travel and is curved around the supporting structure 25to prevent the held sheet from being ruptured or cracked as the grippermechanisms turn about the sprockets 22, see Fig. 2.

The roller 36 is provided with annular grooves 73 disposed at intervalsalong the length of the same. An endless belt element 74 is disposed ineach of said annular grooves and loosely encircles said roller and hangsdownwardly therefrom. These belt elements 74 constitute a yieldablemeans, which engage the deflected portion of the sheet to adjust thesame out of the path of the roller 36 as it moves inwardly after havingdefiected the sheet whereby said roller is prevented from engaging thesheet on its inward movement and interfering with the same dropping uponsaid piling table 52.

Endless tape elements 75 are trained over and carried by the transverserod structures 28 and 31 and serve to support the rear end of the sheetas the same is moved outwardly of the sheet guides 7 and'before the sameis deflected by the roller 36. These endless tape elements are providedwith tape portions 76 having one end attached to respec tive of saidendless tape elements on the upper stretch thereof and trained over thetransverse rod structure 31 and having the free end thereof hangingdownwardly therefrom to engage the deflected portion of the sheet toadjust the same out of the path of the roller 36 so that the same willnot engage the sheet as it moves inwardly along its path and interferewith the dropping of the sheet upon the piling table 52, see Fig. 3.

Friction clamps 77 engage the opposite stretches of the respective tapeelements to prevent said tape elements moving about the transverse rodstructures 28 and 31. These clamps embrace a pair of spaced barsdisposed on one side of the stretches of said tape elements and a thirdbar disposed on the other side of said tape elements and positionedbetween said pair of bars to hold the opposite stretches of the tapesagainst said pair of bars and each other to cause friction therebetween.The tape portion 7 6 may be adjusted as to its length by pulling thestretches of the endless tape elements 7 5 in opposite direction throughsaid friction clamps 77.

The supporting structure 25 has a rollerv 7S rotatably mounted at eachend adjacent the respective chains 24:, which roller engages a bearer79, formed on the respective extension frame 21 below the upper stretchof the chains 24, as said supporting structure moves outwardly from theupper level of its path, and which engages a bearer formed on therespective extension frame 21 below the lower stretch of the chains 24:while moving inwardly along the lower level of said path whereby thechains 24 are relieved of undue strain and said supporting structure 25is carried outwardly and inwardly between the sprockets 20 and 22. Thetransverse rod structure 28 has a roller 81 rotatably mounted at eachend thereof adjacent the respective chains 24 which also engages thebearer 79 while moving outwardly from the upper stretchof chains 242211116. which engages the bearer 80 while moving inwardly along thelower stretch of chains 24 for the same purpose. Said rollers 81 aredisposed between a respective chain 24: and a respective sp'ectivepulley formations 83 formed intogrally with and disposed at either endof the sheet engaging portion of the roller 36. Driving belts 84 aretrained over respective pulleys 82 and pulley formations 83 to form adriving connection between the rollers 81 and the roller 36, whereby, astheroller 36 is moved outwardly along itspath, it is retated in aclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Thus, a-s saidroller 36 moves outwardly and engages the sheet to deflect the same,said roller 36 rotates in a direction corresponding with themovement ofthe sheet relatively thereto whereby undue friction iseliminatedbetweensaid roller and the engaged sheet. Pulleys 82 are ofthesame-diameter asthe rollers 81, and the pulley formations S3 areiof asmaller diameter than the sheet engaging portion-of the roller 36,whereby a peripheral speedof'the roller 36 is greater than theperipheral speed of the roller-S 81 sothat the rolle1y36 may havesubstantially the same peripheral speed'as the speed of the engagedsheet In delivering variouskindsof sheetswith thistype of deliveryit isadvantageousto vary the disposition of the roller 36, relatively to thegripper mechanisms 26, so that said roller 36 does not'completelydeflect or turn over. the sheet, and break its-supporting relationtherewith, and allow, the same to drop upon the pilingtable too longaperiod before. the lineal movement of the sheet has ceased so that thereis little possibility of thesheet smutting by rubbing on thepilingtableor the top sheet. ofithe pile supported thereon. In order that thisdelivery may be adjusted in this respect I have providedmeans wherebythe path of the-travel of the roller 36 may be changed'relatively to thepath of travel of'the gripper mechanisms 26. This means embraces thefollowing: The connecting rods 35 are formed of two overlapping elementsclamped together by means of headed screws 85 passing through holes inone element-and screw threaded into the other element and clampingsaidone element between the other elementsandtheir heads. Said otherelements-of the connecting rods 35 have a, series of threadedholes 86formed therein, and the screws, 85 may be engaged withvarious holes ofsaid series toad ustthe length of said connecting-rods,

35. The driving belts 84 arev adjustable to accommodate the "ariouslengths ofithe connecting. rods 35 by means of adjustment buckles 87.ofusual construction In order that the endless tape elements-7 5 may.beadjusted to accommodate the various lengths of the connecting rods 35said endless tape elements 75 and tape. portion 76 areeach formed of asingle strip ofta-pe having an adjustable buckle 88 secured to one endthereof, and having. the other end passing through said buckle to formthe endless tape:

ported against movement within the inclosure thereof or toward theopposite stretchesthereof by means of a bearer90 formed on therespective extension frames 21 and above saidlower stretches'of therespective chains. It will be noted at this point-that the, arm 48 isdepressed in a direction toward the inclosure of the path of the grippermechanisms or toward the opposite side of the closed path, and, as theroller- 49 vis engaged by thecams 50 and 51, the

gripper mechanisms are supported againstthe influence of such engagementby the sprocket 20 and bearer 90, whereby the gripper mechanisms areoperated with precision.

In addition to this, the fact that the arm 48 is actuated in a directionwithin the closure of the path of the gripper mechanisms, it ispractical to dispose the upper and the lower stretches of the chains 24in closer proximity, and it is unnecessary to provide supportingstructures for the stretches of said chains on the outside of theinclosure of the same, whereby the mechanism may be constructed morecompactly.

By reason of the fact that the gripper mechanisms 26 carry, the sheet anappreciable-distance over the piling table 52, and the fact that theroller 36 engages the sheet and carries it the rest of the distance overthe piling table 52, the actual lineal speed of the sheet is relativelyslow, and as a result, the sheet may be delivered at, much greater speedthan is possible in mechanisms where one of the sheet engaging meanstravels the entire distanceover the piling table.

In addition to this advantage the structure permits of a driving andsupporting mechanism for the sheet engaging element which is very simpleand which permits of the easy assembling and disassembling of the sameto permit a printed side up delivery to be installed in the mainsupportingstructure.

The supporting structure 25 and the transverse rod structure 28 areprovided with ends 91' of irregular cross section which are disposed inrespective recesses formed inlaterally-extended chain blocks 92 of therespective chains 24. -See Figs. 12 and 13. These recesses extend indirections toward one another and have openings thereof facing indirections toward one. another.- The corresponding chain blocks on theside-ofthe chainsopposite the chain blocks 92 are extended laterally, asdesignated at 93, and engage respective bearers 94;, formed on therespective extension frames 21, which engagement prevents the chains 24moving laterally away from one another and disengaging said ends 91 fromtheir respective recesses. If it. is desired to remove either thesupporting structure 25 or the transverse rod 28, they are positioned onthe upper stretch of their path midway between the sprockets 20 and 2.2and that stretch of either chain 24: raised until the extended chainblock 93 clears the respective bearer 94. That portion of the chain isthen moved laterally away from the other chain until one of the ends 91disengages from its respective recess. To install supporting structure25 or the transverse rod 28, these operations are performed in a reverseorder.

What I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent are:

1. In a sheet carrier, means for holding a sheet and movable in acyclical path, a de fleeting means engageable with the held sheet andmovable in a similar cyclical path disposed outwardly of said firstmentioned path, the inner end of said second mentioned path overlappingthe outer end of said first mentioned path, and mechanism for drivingsaid means in unison with each other, said means being so timedrelatively to one another that said means cross the paths of each otherin regular order to cause 1 said means to turn about one another onceduring each cycle.

2. In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet andmovable in a closed cyclical path, a deflecting means engageable withthe hold sheet and movable in a cyclical path intersecting said firstmentioned path and having one portion thereof disposed within theinclosure of said first mentioned path, and mechanism for driving bothof said sheet enga ing means in unison, said holding means saiddeflecting means being so timed relatively to each other that saiddeflecting means lie within the inclosure of said first mentioned paththe leading edge of a as said holding means intersects the outgoingportion of the path of said deflecting means.

3. In a sheet carrier, means for holding sheet and movable in a closedcyclical path outwardly and inwardly, a deflecting means engageablewith. the held sheet and movable in a path out wardly and inwardly andhaving the inner end of its path intersecting and lying within the outerend of the inclosure of said path, and mechanism for driving said meansin unison with each other, said means being so timed relatively to eachother that said deflecting means lies within the inclosure of said firstmentioned path as said holding means intersects the outgoing portion ofthe path of said deflecting means.

4. In a sheet carrier, two sheet engaging means movable in similarintersecting cyclical paths, one of said means having its path disposedto be crossed and recrossed by the other means as said other means novesto and away from one portion of its path, and mechanism for driving saidmeans in unison, said means being so timed relatively to each other thatsaid one means crosses the path of said other means during theperiodbetween the time when said other means crosses the path of saidone means while moving toward said portion of its path and the time whensaid other means recrosses said path while moving away from said portionoi its path, said one means remaining in the same relation to the pathof said other means after it has crossed the path of said other meansand until said. other means has recrossed the path of said one means.

In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet, adeflecting means engageable with the held sheet, said means beingmovable in similar intersecting cyclical paths, and mechanism fordriving said means in unison with each other and adapted to move each ofsaidmeans in directions opposite to the corresponding movements of theother means and to cause said means to turnvabout one another onceduring each cycle. v

6. In a sheet carrier, a sheet engaging means mova-bleioutwardly andinwardly in a closed cyclical path, mechanism for drivsaid means, asecond sheet engaging means movable outwardly and inwardly in a similarcyclical path outwardly of said first mentioned path and having theinner portion of its path intersecting and lying within the inclosure ofsaid first mentioned path, one of said means being adapted to hold theleading; edge of a sheet and the other of said means being adapted toengage the held sheet to deflect the same, and

connecting element in operative connection with said driving mechanismand said second mentioned means adapted to move said second mentionedmeans in directions opposite to the corresponding movements of saidfirst mentioned means and to cause said means to turn about one anotheronce during each cycle. 7. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain elementmoving: in a closed cyclical path out wardly. and inwardly, a sheetengaging-1 means in driven relation with said chain element and movablein a similar path, a second sheet engaging means movable outwardly andinwardly in a path disposed outwardly of said closed path and having theinner end of said path disposed within the inclosure of said firstmentioned path,

one of said means being adapted to hold the leading edge of a sheet andthe other of said means being adapted to engage the held sheet todeflect the same, and a connecting element in operative connection withsaid chain element and said second mentioned means .to establish adriving connection therebetween, said connecting element having itsconnection with said chain element at a point opposite that from whichsaid first mentioned means is driven whereby said sheet engaging meansmove in opposite directions and are caused to turn about one anotheronce during each cycle.

8. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedcyclical path outwardly and inwardly, a sheet engaging means in drivenrelation with said chain element and movable in a similar path, a secondsheet engaging means movable in a path outwardly and inwardly in a pathdisposed outwardly of said first mentioned means and having the innerend of its path disposed within the inclosure of the path of said firstmentioned means, one of said means being adapted to hold the leadingedge of a sheet and the other of said means being adapted to engage theheld sheet to deflect the same, and a connecting element in operableconnection with said chain element and said second mentioned means toestablish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting elementbeing connected with said chain to move said second mentioned means in adirection opposite to the corresponding movements of said firstmentioned means when said chain element is moved whereby said sheetengaging means are caused to turn about one another once during eachcycle.

9. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedcyclical path outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation with saidchain element and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold theleading edge of a sheet, a slide disposed in the direction of outwardand inward movement of said holding means, a deflecting means mountedfor movement in said slide and adapted for engagement with the heldsheet,'and a connecting element in operative connection with said chainelement and said deflecting means to establish a driving connectiontherebetween when said chain is moved, said connecting element beingconnected with said chain to move said deflecting means in directionsopposite to the cor responding movements of said holding means andadapted to move said deflecting means within the inclosure of the pathof said holding means at the inner end of its travel.

'10. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving 'in a closedpath outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation. with said chainelement and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold the leadingedge of a sheet, a deflecting means adapted for engagement with the heldsheet and movable outwardly and inwardly in a path disposed outwardly ofsaid closed path and having the inner end of said path disposed withinthe inclosure of said first mentioned path and having the ingoingportion of said path disposed in the same plane or above the plane ofthe outgoing portion of said path, and a co-nnect ing element inoperable connection with said chain element and said deflecting means toestablish a driving connection therebetween, said connecting elementhaving its connection with said chain element at a point opposite thatfrom which said holding means is driven. v

11. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedcyclical path outwardly and inwardly, means in driven relation with saidchain element and movable in a similar path and adapted to hold theleading edge of a. sheet, a slide disposed in the direction of outwardand inward movement of said holding means, a deflecting means m unt dfor movement in said slide and adapted for engagement with the heldsheet, and a connecting element inoperative connection with said chainelement and said deflecting means to establish a driving connectiontherebetween, said connecting element having its connection with saidchain element at a point opposite 'that from which said holding means isdriven and adapted to move said deflecting means within the inclosure ofthe path of said holding means at the inner end of its travel.

12. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism moving in a closed path,means for actuating said gripper mechanism and disposed exteriorly ofsaid path.

13. In a. sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedpath. a gripper mechanism carried by said chain element, means foractuating said gripper mechanism and disposed cxteriorly of said closedpath, and means for supporting said chain element against movementwithin said closed path.

14:. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism moving in a closed path,means for controlling said gripper mechanism and adapted for movement ina direction toward the opposite side of said closed path, and means foractuating said last mentioned means in said direction.

15. In a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedpath, a gripper mechanism carried by said chain element, means forcontrolling said gripper mechanism and adapted for movement in adirection toward the opposite side of said closed path, means foractuating said last men-- tioned means insaid direction, and means forsupporting said chain element against movement within said closed path.

16. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, asheet engaging element mounted for reciprocal movement and disposed onone side of the plane of said driving element, and a connecting elementin operative connection with said driving element and said sheetengaging element for imparting motion from said driving element to saidsheet engaging element and disposed on said one side of said drivingelement.

17. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, arotatably mounted sheet engaging roller movable in a reciprocal path, aconnecting element in operative connection with said driving element andsaid roller for imparting motion from said driving element to saidroller, a roller mounted for rotation on said driving element, a bearerdisposed to contact said last mentioned roller to rotate the same assaid driving element is moved, and a driving belt trained over said lastmentioneed roller and said sheet engaging roller. 7

18. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, aslide, a slide block supported for movement therein, a roller mountedfor rotation in said slide block, a connecting rod having the oppositeends thereof in pivotable connection with said driving element and saidslide block respectively, a roller mounted for rotation on said drivingelement in axial alinement With the pivotal axis of the adjacent end ofsaid connecting rod, a bearer disposed to contact said roller to rotatethe roller as said driving element is moved, and driving belt trainedover said last mentioneed roller and said sheet engaging roller.

19. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, aslide disposed on one side of the plane of said driving element, a slideblock supported for movement therein, a sheet engaging roller mountedfor rotation in said slide block and extending from said slide block ina direction away from the plane of said driving element, a transverserod structure mounted on said driving element and extending from saidone side there of, a connecting rod having the opposite ends thereofpivotally mounted on said transverse rod and said slide blockrespectively, a roller mounted for rotation on said transverse rodstructure between said driv ing element and said connecting rod, abearer disposed to contact said last mentioned roller to rotate the sameas said driving element is moved, and a driving belt trained over saidlast mentioned rolle" and said sheet engaging roller.

20. In a sheet carrier, a driving element moving in a closed path, atransverse rod structure mounted for reciprocal movement and disposed atone side of the plane of said driving element, a second transverse rodstructure mounted on said driving element and extending therefrom onsaid one side of the plane of the same, a connecting element inoperative connection with said transverse rod structures to establish adriving connection therebetween, and sheet supporting tapes mounted onand extending between said transverse rod structures.

21. In a sheet carrier, 2. driving element moving in a closed path, aslide disposed on one side of the plane of said'driving element, a slideblock supported for movement therein, a transverse rod structure mountedon said driving element and extending from said one side of the plane ofthe same, a second transverse rod structure mounted on said slide blockand extending therefrom away from the plane of said driving element,sheet supporting tapes carried by and extending between said transverserod structures, and a connecting rod having the opposite ends thereofpivotally' connected to respective of said transverse rod structures.

22. In a sheet carrier, a horizontally disposed sheet deflecting roller,reciprocating in a lateral direction, and an endless belt elementloosely encircling said roller and carried by said roller and hangingdownwardly therefrom.

23. In a sheet carrier, a horizontally disposed sheet deflecting rollerhaving annular grooves formed therein at intervals along the length ofthe same and reciprocating in a lateral direction, and endless beltelements loosely encircling said roller and disposed in respective ofsaid grooves and hanging downwardly therefrom.

2 1. In a sheet carrier, a reciprocating sheet engaging means adaptedfor engagement with a carried sheet, means for causing movement of saidmeans and the carried sheet relatively to one another, and yieldablemeans adapted for engagement with that portion-of the sheet which hasbeen engaged by said sheet engaging means and adapted to adjust saidportion away from said sheet engaging means.

In a sheet carrier, means for holding the leading edge of a sheet,deflecting means engageable with the held sheet inwardly of said holdingmeans, mechanism for causing movement of one of said means relatively tothe other to cause the said deflecting .means to invert the sheet, andyieldable means disposed to engage the deflected portion of the sheetand adapted to adjust said deflected portion of the sheet away from saiddeflecting means. 7

26. In a sheet carrier,'means for holding the leading edge of a sheet,deflecting means movable in a cyclical path outwardly of said holdingmeans, mechanism for driving said deflecting means and for causing saidholding means and said deflecting means to turn about each other at theinner portion of said path, and yieldable means movable in a similarpath and driven by said mechanism and disposed to engage the deflectedportion of the sheet and adapted to adjust said deflected portion of thesheet out of the path of said deflecting means.

27. In a sheet carrier, two horizontally disposed spaced transverse rodstructures,

endless belt tape elements trained about said rod structures, tapeportions having one end thereof attached to respective of said endlessbelt elements on the upper stretch thereof andtrained over one of saidrod structures and having the other ends thereof hanging therefrom, andmeans engageable with said endless belt elements to prevent movementthereof about said rod structures.

28. In a sheet carrier, two horizontally disposed spaced transverse rodstructures, endless belt tape elements trained about said rodstructures, tape portions having one end thereof attached to respectiveof said endless belt elements on the upper stretch thereof and trainedover one of said rod structures and having the other ends thereofhanging therefrom, and means engageable with the opposite stretches ofsaid end less belt elements toprevent movement thereof about said rodstructures, said means being constructed to permit adjustment of saidendless belt elements to vary the length of the hanging portions of saidtape portions.

29. In a sheet carrier, a movable supporting structure disposedtransversely of the line of movement a plurality of gripper mechanismsdisposed at intervals along said supporting structure and having thegripping elements thereof disposed above said supporting structure, andsupported sheet guide elements disposed longitudinally of the line oftravel and disposed between adjacent grippers 7 above said supportingstructure and below said, gripping elements.

30. In a sheet carrier, a movable supporting structure disposedtransversely of the line of movement, a plurality of gripper mechanismsdisposed at intervals along said supporting structure and havingthegripping elements thereof disposed above said su) )ortiu structuresheet uide elements disposed longitudinally of the line of travel anddisposed between adjacent grippers above said supporting structure andbelow said gripping elements, and means for controlling saidgrippersdisposed below said for adjustment longitudinally of elementsdisposed longitudinally of the line of travel and disposed betweenadjacent grippers above said supporting structure and below saidgripping elements, and means for controlling said grippers and supportedby said supporting structure and disposed below said sheet guideelements.

32. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism adapted to engage a sheetand moving in a defined path, a carriage adjustable along the line oftravel of said gripper mechanism, means mounted on said carriage andengageable with said gripper mechanism to cause the sheet to bereleased, and sheet stops engageable with the released sheet mounted onsaid carriage and movable with said means.

33. In a sheet carrier, a gripper mechanism adapted to engage a sheetand moving in a defined path, means engageable with said grippermechanism to actuate the same to release the sheet and adjustable alongthe line of travel of said gripper mechanism, sheet stops engageablewith the released sheet and adjustable along the line of travel of saidgripper mechanism, and means in connection with said first mentionedmeans and said sheet stops adapted to maintain the same in properrelation with each other in all the adjustments thereof.

34. In a sheet carrier, a receiving table, a stationary sheet stopextending upwardly therefrom, and a yieldable sheet stop extendingupwardly from said stationary sheet stop and disposed to be initiallyengaged by a moving sheet and responsive to the momentum thereof togradually overcome the same and adapted to bring the same into properrelation with said stationary sheet stop after said momentum is overcomeand as said sheet drops upon said receiving table.

35. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper structuremounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supportingstructure, a gripper element movably mounted on said gripper structureandadapted to cooperate therewith to grip a sheet, and means mounted onsaid supportingqstructure and engaging said gripper structure to preventrotarial movement of said gripper structure about said supportingstructure.

36. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper structuremounted thereon said 'supporting structure, a gripper element mova-blymounted thereon and adapted to co operate therewith to grip a sheet, andmeans for controlling said movable gripper element in the variousadjustments of said gripper structure along said supporting structure.

37. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanismmounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supportingstructure, arock shaft disposed in structure ture, a gripper I grippermechanism,

parallelism with said supporting structure and j ournaled in thestructure of said gripper mechanism, and means mounted on said rockshaft and adjustable along the same for effecting the control of saidgripper mechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanismalong said supporting by the pivotal movement of said rock shaft.

38. In a sheet carrier, a supporting strucmechanism mounted thereon forad ustment longitudinally of said supporting structure, a grippermechanism mounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of saidsupporting structure, a rock shaft pivotally mounted on said supportingstructure and disposed in with, and means mounted on said rock shaft andadjustable along said rock shaft for effecting the control of saidgripper mechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanismalong said supporting structure by the pivotal movement of said rockshaft.

39. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanismmounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supportingstructure, a rock shaft pivotally mounted on said supporting structureand disposed in parallelism therewith and journaled in the structure ofsaid gripper mechanism, and means mounted on said rock shaft andadjustable along the same for effecting the control of said grippermechanism in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanism alongsaid supporting structure by the pivotal movement of said rock shaft.

40. In a sheet carrier, a supporting structure, a gripper mechanismmounted thereon for adjustment longitudinally of said supportingstructure, a movable gripper element included in said gripper mechanism,a means for efiecting the closing movement of said gripper elementincluded in said a rock shaft disposed in parallelism with saidsupporting structure, and means mounted on said rock shaft andadjustable along the same for effecting the opening movement of saidgripper element in the various adjustments of said gripper mechanismwhen said rock shaft is rotated in one direction.

41. In a sheet carrier, a plurality of spaced gripper mechanismsdisposed transversely of the line of travel of a sheet and adapted toengage the leading edge thereof, a sheet supporting means having anumber of sheet supporting surfaces disposed in different levelsrelatively to said gripper mechanisms and disposed to guide the leadingedge of the sheet into said grippers in an undulated form, and means foractuating said gripper mechanisms to grip said leading edge in itsundulated form.

parallelism there- 42. In a sheet carrier, a plurality of spaced grippermechanisms disposedtransversely of the line of travel of a sheet andadapted to engage the leading edge thereof, the gripping points of saidgripper mechanisms being disposed in dilferent levels relatively to theline of travel of the sheet to cause the leading edge of the sheet toassume an undulated form when engaged thereby, and means for guiding theleading edge of the sheet into said gripper mechanisms to be engagedthereby.

43. In a sheet carrier, a sheet stop disposed in the path of a movingsheet and adapted to be engaged by the advancing edge thereof, saidsheet stop being yieldable in the direction of movement of the sheet andadapted to be moved in such direction by the momentum of the sheet andadapted to assume its normal position when the momentum of the sheet isspent.

4:4. In a sheet carrier, a stationary structure, a sheet stop having thelower end thereof mounted in said structure and having the upper endthereof disposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engagedby the advancing edge thereof and yieldable in the direction of movementof the sheet and adapted to be moved in such direction by the momentumof the moving sheet and adapted to assume its normal position when themomentum of the moving sheet is spent. 7 1

45. In a sheet carrier, a sheet stop pivoted inwardly of one end to movein the direction of travel of a sheet and having said one end disposedin the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged bythe advancingedge thereof, said sheet stop being so constructed that the gravitaltendency thereof tends to move said end in a direction opposite'to thatof the moving sheet and adapted to be moved out of said position by themomentum of the moving sheet and adapted to assume its normal positionwhen the momentum of the sheet is spent.

46. ,In a sheet carrier, a vertical sheet stop 7 having the upper enddisposed in the path of a movingsheet and adapted to be engaged by theadvancing edge thereof and having the lower end pivoted to allowmovement of the upper end thereof in the direction of travel of thesheet, said pivot being d1sposed on the side of said sheet stop oppositethat which is engaged by the sheet, and means for limiting the movementof said sheet stop in a direction opposite that of the sheet.

47. In a sheet carrier, a vertical sheet stop having the upper enddisposed in the path of a moving sheet and adapted to be engaged by theadvancing edge thereof and having the lower end pivoted to allowmovement of the upper end thereof in the direction of travel of thesheet, said pivot being disposed on the side of said sheet stop oppositethat which is engaged by the sheet, and means for limiting the movementof said sheet stop in a direction opposite that of the sheet, and asecond mean for limiting the movement of said sheet stop in thedirection of the sheet.

48. In, a sheet carrier, an endless chain element moving in a closedpath outwardly and inwardly, means for holding the leading edge 'of thesheet in driven relatlon with said chain element and movable in asimilar path, a deflecting means movable outwardly and inwardly in apath disposed outwardly of said holding means and having the inner endof its path disposed within the path of said holding means, and aconnecting element in operable connection with said chain element andsaid defiecting means to establish a driving connection therebetween,said connecting element being connected with said chain to move saidsecond mentioned means in a direction opposite the correspondingmovements of said first mentioned means when said chain element ismovable, and adjustment mechanism included in said connecting elementadapted to be adjusted to vary the disposition of the path of saiddeflecting means relatively to the path of said holding means.

L9. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving elements moving in parallelpaths and having laterally disposed recesses at corresponding pointsthereon at least one of said recesses being of irregular cross section,said recesses extending in directions toward one another and having theopenings thereof facing in opposite directions, a supporting structureextending across the space between said driving elements and having theends thereof corresponding in cross section with the respective recessesand disposed within respective of said recesses, and gripper mechanismmounted on said supporting structure.

50. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving copies of thin patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the chains supported andmoving in parallel paths, a chain block included in each chain, saidchain blocks being disposed at corresponding points on their respectivechains and having laterally disposed recesses formed therein extendingin directions toward one another and having the openings thereof facingin opposite directions at least one of said recesses being of irregularcross section, a supporting structure extending across the space betweenthe said chains and having the ends thereof corresponding in crosssection with the respective recesses and disposed within respective ofsaid recesses, gripper mechanisms mounted on said supporting structures,a laterally extending chain block in each chain disposed on the oppositeside thereof relatively to the respective recessed block and adjacentthereto, and a bearer for each extended chain block facing oppositely tothe opening of the recess of the recessed block of the respective chain.

51. In a sheet carrier, two spaced driving elements moving in parallelpaths and having laterally disposed recesses of irregular cross sectionat corresponding points thereon, and recesses extending in directionstoward one another and having the openings thereof facing in oppositedirections, at least one of said recesses being of irregular crosssection, a supporting structure extending across the space between saiddriving elements and having their ends corre sponding in cross sectionwith the respective recesses and disposed within respective of saidrecesses, gripper mechanism mounted on said supporting structures, arock shaft mounted on said supported structure and in controllingrelation with said gripper mechanism, and an actuating arm mounted onsaid rock shaft.

In witness whereof I have hereunto aflixed my; signature this 20th dayof Feb., A. D. 19 8.

' ROBERT MIEHLE.

"Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

